During your first visit to our office, we’ll discuss your concerns, clinically examine your teeth and jaws, review your medical and dental history, and take diagnostic x-rays as needed using our digital radiography system. We will develop a preliminary treatment plan that will be verified after the rest of the diagnostic orthodontic records are taken. We will also give you basic information about the projected length of time in treatment and discuss fees and financial arrangements. You will also learn the reason for treatment, optimal time for beginning treatment, the expected result when treatment is completed, and the possible outcome if no orthodontic treatment is done.

If you are ready to begin orthodontic treatment, the next appointment will be to acquire the rest of the initial diagnostic records. Complete diagnostic orthodontic records typically include impressions of your teeth to fabricate a set of plaster study models, digital photographs of the face and the teeth, and two diagnostic digital x-rays, one of all of the teeth and jaw joints, and one of the side of the face showing the relationship of the jaws. This information is used to create a custom treatment plan and to track the progress of your orthodontic care. After developing a treatment plan, we will discuss it in detail with you at the following appointment. The more you know about and actively participate in your orthodontic care, the better your results will be.